Tupelo - Mr. Roy Gillespie Knighton, Sr., born May 2, 1935, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, May 26, 2017, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. Roy was born in Blue Springs, MS, one of six sons and one daughter to Johnnie and Josephine (Moorman) Knighton (deceased). Brothers surviving include: James, Bobby Joe (Brenda), and Billy, and deceased are Travis, Robert, and Mava Ruth (Sis) Espanto. Also, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Linnie Moorman Gains Bailey and John Frank Moorman, and John Knighton and Drusilla Rogers Knighton of Union County.

Roy spent his childhood and teen years in Hughes, Arkansas where he developed a love for sports, and lettered in track, basketball, baseball, and football. He graduated from Hughes High School and continued to work on the family rice farm until leaving to visit his sister in California. There, he stayed for 6 years working and pursuing his love of racing cars. Later, he moved back to Myrtle, MS, where he spent most of the rest of his life.

Roy was passionate about and served with love his God and church; family and friends; community and country; and profession.

Roy served his Baptist Church in many capacities, but, admitted his favorite was teaching the couples class. After his diagnosis of glio blastoma cancer, surgery, and a prognosis of 3 to 5 months to live, he signed up with Calvary Baptist Church to go on a missionary trip to Amsterdam. He commented that as long as God gave him life, he would serve! During the almost five years the Lord gave him, he mentored other cancer patients and never missed an opportunity to witness.

Like his great grandfather, grandfather, father, and brothers, he served his country in the military. For 11 years, he served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Master Sargent.

Roy served his community in many ways, such as working as a member of the Rotary, Lions, and Civitan Clubs. He was President of the Magnolia Chapter of the Mississippi Association of Purchasing Agents (his professional organization).

He was passionate about his profession as national purchasing manager in the furniture industry, and the fine people he worked with for more than 40 years at Futorian and Stratford Furniture Manufacturing. Some of his colleagues became lifelong friends. He loved to tell of the trips taken with Mr. Futorian to the various plants across the country, and the fun fishing trips and golf tournaments he enjoyed with his fellow workers and business associates.

Family was always important to Roy. There were three children with his wife Sue (deceased in 2011); Roy, Jr.(Betty), Jim (Donna), and Deborah Baxin (Antonio). He was remarried in 2012 to Lillie Akin Knighton and, from this union gained 3 step-children; Dr. Mark Akin (Dr. Carol Franks Akin), Robert Akin, USMC retired (Elly), and Dr. Angeleque A. Little (Dr. Steven).

Between the two there were 13 grandchildren, Niva Kitchens (Jason), Matthew Knighton, Eric Knighton, Dakota Hopper, Alex Baxin, Antonio Baxin, Adrianne Armstrong (Brandon), Sarah Raskett (Garett), Daniel Werhan (Alli), Ensign Jonathan Akin (Cymre), 2nd Lt. Christopher Akin (Katherine), Tucker Akin, Andrew Werhan; six great grandchildren, Valerie, Anna, Rei

ley, Paden, Journey and Collins, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Nothing about Roy Knighton would be complete without speaking of his love for Ole Miss and the Rebels. He supported baseball, football, and basketball for which he held season tickets since 1961. After the first of 3 brain surgeries, within 10 days he was in his seat at the Rebel stadium supporting the Rebels football. Last year, he only made 2 games, the first in Florida, and then Texas A&MU. He always thought his effort to make that last game made them come from way behind and beat the Aggies in the last few seconds of the game.

Everyone who knew him, thought of this man as a "gentle giant", a man who always read his Bible, never put on pretense, and put his creed in his deed. He was able to hug and tell those people he loved them. He will be missed by all who knew him.

A celebration service, honoring his life and home-going will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 29, 2017 at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Chris DeGeorge, Rev. Jim Yates and Rev. Donnie Schuman officiating. An entombment service with military honors will follow at the family private estate in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be today (Sunday) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors and Monday from 1:00 p.m. to service time at the church.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Tony, Matt, Eric, Andrew, Daniel, Tucker, and Garett. Honorary pallbearers will be Norris "Piggy" Caldwell Sunday School class, as well as Curtis Buskirk, Frank Aldridge, Tom Moore, Steve White, Mark Buskirk, Eddie Warren, Marshall Montgomery, Pat Nunnelee, and David Franks.

Memorials may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS 38802 or to the American Cancer Society, Mississippi Chapter, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213. Condolences to the family may be e-mailed to [email protected].